A. Inspect Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Boots/End Cover Crimps

1. Raise vehicle to working level on an appropriate hoist.

2. Remove both front tire and wheel assemblies.

3. Turn the front steering knuckles to the left as far as possible.





4. Bend the heat shield away from the lower control arm, if necessary (Figure 1).

5. Using a flashlight, inspect the LEFT lower control arm ball joint boot for any cuts or tears (Figure 1). Compress the boot and look for grease (presence of grease may indicate a torn boot).

NOTE:
Use of a clean cloth or cotton swab may help determine if grease is present.

6. Turn the steering knuckle to the right as far as possible.

7. Using a flashlight, inspect the LEFT lower control arm boot AGAIN for any cuts or tears (Figure 1). Compress the boot and look for any grease.

8. ^ If any cuts or tears are found in the boot, the lower control arm must be replaced -- skip to Step 15.

^ If no cuts or tears are found in the boot, continue with Step 9.

9. Remove any built up debris from the bottom surface of the lower control arm around the ball joint end cover (Figure 1).





10. Install Miller Special Tool # 8219 onto the control arm from the inside of the ball joint. The tool must be positioned so that it seals around the ball joint end cover on the lower surface of the ball joint (Figure 2).

CAUTION:
Be careful not to pinch or damage the boot when installing the tool.

11. Turn the adjustment ring on the tool to clamp it to the control arm. Make sure that the O-ring is centered around the ball joint end cover (Figure 2).

12. Attach a shop air hose to the special tool and open the tool valve (Figure 2).

NOTE:
For proper test results, the O-ring on the tool must not leak. Verify that the tool is sealed to the control arm using soapy water if necessary.

13. After 20 seconds, inspect the lower control arm ball joint boot for signs of ballooning. If the ball joint end cover crimp is leaking, ballooning will be very obvious (Figure 2).

^ If any ballooning of the boot exists, the ball joint end cover crimp is leaking and the lower control arm must be replaced.

^ If the boot does NOT balloon, the ball joint end cover crimp is NOT LEAKING and the lower control arm DOES NOT require replacement.

14. Remove the special tool from the lower control arm and bend the heat shield back to its original position, if necessary.

15. Repeat Steps 3 through 14 for the RIGHT lower control arm.

16. ^ If either lower control arm requires replacement, continue with Section "B" -- Lower Control Arm Replacement.

^ If both lower control arms are good (no cuts or tears in boots and no ballooning of the boot), reinstall the front wheel and tire assemblies and return the vehicle to the owner. No further action is necessary.